Program Notes:
Spring Calls for soprano, flute, viola, cello, and harp is a setting of texts from the second chapter of Canticles (Shir Hashirim), also known as "The Song of Songs," one of the five "Megilot" – sacred scrolls that are part of the Hebrew Bible. Canticles is primarily read during Passover, the "holiday of spring," and its theme revolves around love and the rebirth of love, symbolized by spring.
Typically, composers set only one or two lines of Canticles texts to music. However, I was interested in creating a journey, both literal and psychological, depicting a woman's quest, anticipation, and discovery of love. The text parallels the awakening of love with the vibrant and colorful awakening of spring. In selecting instrumentation and musical language, I aimed to blend a modal, archaic sound with modern elements. Thus, listeners may discern echoes of exotic and ancient instruments, such as the sistrum – an Egyptian percussion instrument dating back to 2500 B.C., primarily used in religious ceremonies.
Spring Calls was composed for Close Encounters With Music, under the artistic direction of Yehuda Hanani. The generous commissioning of this work by Lola and Edwin Jaffe is deeply appreciated for their steadfast support.
